(57) A base (1) is provided for a ski boot (2) and comprises a one-piece sole (4) defining
heel and toe portions (6, 7) that is adapted to be secured to one or more outsole
elements (8, 9, 10). Preferably, toe and heel outsole elements (8, 9) are bonded to
the toe and heel portions (6, 7) respectively to form a base (1) with a unitary construction.
The sole (4) also has a fiber-reinforced composite structure wherein a majority of
the fibers in at least a mid-section (7) of the sole (4) between the heel and toe
portions (6, 7) are angled at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of the sole (4). Preferably, the mid-section (7) of the sole covers a position anatomically
beneath the location of the metatarsal bones and the plantar arch of a person wearing
the ski boot and a majority of the fibers in this mid-section (7) of the sole are
angled at substantially ±45° ± 10° to the longitudinal axis (L) of the sole (4) and
between 5% and 10% of the fibers in the mid-section (7) of the sole (4) are substantially
aligned with the longitudinal axis of the sole at angles within ±20° of being parallel
to the longitudinal axis (L) of the sole (4). A ski boot (2) incorporating such a
sole (4) is also provided.
|
|
